By Paul Joseph
Thousands of Iranians poured into the streets of Tehran on Sunday to mourn the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in an outpouring of grief that underscored the magnitude of the moment for the Islamic Republic.
Crowds filled major roads and public squares in the capital, many carrying a large Iranian flag and chanting slogans in tribute to the late leader. Videos broadcast on state television showed mourners dressed in black, some weeping openly as they gathered to pay their respects.
Khamenei had led the Islamic Republic since 1989 and was one of the most powerful figures in the country for more than three decades, shaping Iran’s domestic policies and foreign relations through periods of war, sanctions, and regional confrontation.
Iranian state television confirmed his death early Sunday, reporting that he was killed during the opening phase of a major military attack involving the United States and Israel. According to state media, the strikes continued into a second day on March 1.
In a swift and forceful response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) pledged what it described as the “most ferocious” operation in history against Israel and U.S. forces in the region.
Iran’s state broadcaster further claimed that 27 U.S. bases across the Middle East, along with Israel’s military headquarters and a defence industries complex in Tel Aviv, had been listed among targets in a new wave of strikes. There has been no independent confirmation of these claims.
Regional tensions remain at a critical level, with governments around the world closely monitoring developments amid fears that the escalating confrontation could spiral into a broader conflict.
Leave a Reply